Ventilating ceiling and suspension grid therefor



Nov. 28, 1967 A. NICHOLSON 3,354,598

VENTILATING CEILING AND SUSPENSION GRID THEREFOR Filed July 30, 1965 fiwenzor f Jferie vii {50750 26 24 .9 09W j 7 A zorizey United States Patent 3,354,598 VENTILATING CEILING AND SUSPENSION GRID THEREFOR Merle A. Nicholson, St. Paul, Minn, assignor to Wood Conversion Company, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Delaware 1 Filed July 30, 1965, .Ser. No. 475,937 6 Claims. (Cl. 52-732) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a ventilating suspension grid for ceilings, the vertical portion of the grid has spaced walls with an opening at the bottom and an opening laterally in one of the walls with the other wall extending over and spaced from the bottom opening to provide visual security from one side of the ceiling to the other.

The present invention relates to ventilating ceilings of the suspended type having lay-in panels.

Ventilating ceilings ventilate through panels, or through the suspension grid therefor, or in some cases both, where air enters and leaves through the ceiling by way of partitioned spaces above the ceiling.

Ventilating ceilings commercially have a variety of suspension grids for panels of standardized or predetermined dimensions. The various grid systems in practice must accept such standard-sized panels. These panels, for one example, are termed 2 x 4-foot panels, but are actually scant in said dimensions being generally /1 inch short, to provide space for the vertical webs of grid members.

The present invention involves the use of grid members having double-walled vertical webs with a space between the walls for the passage of air through the vertical space from one side of the ceiling to the other. Some or all of the grid members may be of the said double-wall webs, and some may have thinner single-thickness webs.

Heretofore, certain types of grid-members with thicker ventilating vertical portions have been used, but the thickness has been such that panels of dimensions less than standard have been required for the ceiling.

It is the object of the present invention to provide grid members with double-walled webs which may be used in combination with each other or in combination with thinner single-wall webs to form rectangular spaces receptive of standard sizes of panels.

It'is also an object of the invention to provide a ven tilating runner with which may be used simple means for minimizing or cutting off the flow of air at a localized region.

In laying in panels they are dropped into place from the plenum chamber above the ceiling, usually from a tilted position in which one edge is supported as a pivot on one of two opposite grid members. In dropping the panel to horizontal position it must clear the opposite grid member to receive it. The present invention provides a double-walled grid member having a parallel side vertical web for this purpose, and having a thickness of web to provide an air passage therethrough from one side of the ceiling to the other.

One feature of the improved web is the opening of the inter-wall space in a lateral face of the web. Heretofore, horizontal openings have been provided at the top of double-wall ventilating runners for the entry or exit of air. In cases where lighting fixtures are located in the plenum chamber for illumination through translucent panels, this horizontal exposure of the opening in the plenum chamber shows light at the opening of the space in the face of the ceiling. In the runner of the present invention the opening to the inter-wall space in the plenum chamber is made in a vertical wall of the runners 3,354,593 Patented Nov. 28, 1967 web. Thus, visual security is provided since light from above may not pass through the ventilating space and it is not possible to look upward through the openings and see the wires, pipes, etc., usually positioned above such ceilings. This visual security is further enhanced in that the interior of the inter-wall space is black. Thus the ventilating slot along the length of the grid member appears as a dark line unbroken in extent along the grid member.

Because of the lateral opening of the space in a side of the web and because the web has a flush vertical wall containing said opening, it is possible to hang from the top of the grid member one or more movable cover plates for any selected portion of the length of the lateral opening locally to cut off flow of air through that portion of the ceiling.

The improved ceiling and hanger shown in the accompanying drawings illustrate various features of the invention above referred to.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrammatic representations of suspending grids showing difierent arrangements and combinations of its members, and showing one piece in cross-section.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section in detail taken on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 3 looking to the left and showing the opening occupied in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-section taken on line 55 of FIG. 3 showing two locking unions of cross-members to a runner.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a ventilating runner taken on a line such as 66 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a ventilating runner taken on line 77 of FIG. 2, having an air control.

FIG. 1 is partly diagrammatic and represents a portion of a suspension grid looking down to it. It has three conventional T-runners 10, 10 and 10*, each with a vertical single-thickness web 12, and oppositely directed bottom flanges 14 and 16. Between runners 10 and 10 is a ventilating runner 17 that is T-shaped in cross-section. Said runner 17 has two spaced parallel strips 18 and 20 in its vertical portion forming a space 24, and oppositely directed horizontal bottom flanges 26 and 28. The distance between the outer edges of flanges 14 and 16 is the same as the distance between the outer edges of flanges 26 and 28, thus making in FIG. 1, the flanges 26 and 28 narrower than flanges 14 and 16.

Between each pair of adjacent runners are cross-members 30, all identical. These have single-thickness vertical webs 32 and bottom flanges 34 and 36 of the same width as flanges 14 and 16. The union between the crossmember 30 and the runners is later described, but it is pointed out that in FIG. 1 there are two unions of crossmembers with each of the runners 10, 10 and 10 at the same location. Ln FIG. 2, there is only one union at a location.

FIG. 2 shows another series of runners in sequence 17*, 17, 10 and 19*, with the cross-members 30 of the same structure as cross-members 30, but in staggered relation so that there is only one union at each location on a runner.

The union of cross-member to runner employed herein is a well-known one, and is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, as heretofore used. FIG. 3 shows a runner 10 in crosssection, and two opposite cross-members 30 and 30 joined to it. Cross-member 30 has its flanges 34 and 36 coplanar with runner flanges 14 and 1-6. The ends of flanges 34 and 36 are oifset upwardly to provide portions 38 overlying flanges 14 and 16, and shoulders 40 opposing the edges of flanges 14 and 16.

The vertical web 32 of the cross-member has at each end a projecting tongue passing through an opening in web 12 of runner 10 and locked therein against withdrawal. FIG. 3 shows tongue 42 riveted at 43 to. web 32 and projecting from web 32 of cross-member 30. A resilient rectangular tab 44 with three sides cut from tongue 42 is bent outwardly from the tongue on line 44'.

FIG. 4 is a view of a side of web 12 looking to the left in FIG. 3, showing flange 16 and an opening 46 through the web. The opening 46 is in effect two slots for two tongues 42. The slots are merely joined at their mid-portions for mechanical convenience without function, thus maintaining in effect separate functioning slots 48 and 50. Thus, slot 48 receives the tongue 42 shown in full lines, and slot 50 receives the tongue 42 shown in dotted lines and extending from the right hand crossing member 30 (FIG. 3). In FIG. 5 the locking of the tongues is shown by the spring tab 44 against web 12.

The ventilating runners 17 are provided with a slotopening like the opening 46 shown in FIG. 4, and at a location which is the central line of the runner as is the location of the slot-opening 46 with respect to runners 10. This is accomplished by depressing that portion of one of the walls 18 and 20 which is to have the opening, so that the opening lies in the center line of the runner, and at the same time an opposite hole is formed in the other wall of size freely to pass two tongues, one as it approaches its slot and the other as it emerges from its slot.

FIG. 6 illustrates a suitable structure of the ventilating runner 17, showing it to be made of two thin pieces of sheet metal each of which providesthe spaced strips 18 and 20 indicated in FIG. 1. The strip 18 and flange 26 are one piece forming a generally L-shaped member in crosssection with the strip 18 forming the vertical leg of the L. The second piece forms in sequence, flange 28, web portion 20 extending beyond the upper edge 18' of strip 18 to the line 20 where it turns horizontally to the plane of strip 18, then vertically, then horizontally to the plane of strip 20, then vertically downward to point 20, then inward of the rigidifying rectangular head 60 thus formed. This head is a reinforcement, through which holes (not shown) may be formed to receive wires which suspend the grid.

The strips 18 and 20 are held together in their spaced relation by inset dimples 18 and 20 which meet at the center line where they are joined by a rivet R. These riveted dimples are spaced along the length of the runner to unify the two pieces as a strong unitary runner. The space between head 60 and edge 18 is at least as wide as the space 24 to serve as entry or exit for the passageway provided by space 24.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of runner 18 like FIG. 6, but taken between rivets R and at a location where a crossmember may be joined. The parts are designated by the same numerals as in FIG. 6. Either one of strips 18 and 20 may be chosen to provide the slot means for one, but preferably for two tongues. The strip chosen may depend upon mechanical procedure in manufacture. Spaced regions along the runner are inset sufliciently to move a planar portion of the recessed strip, designated 62, to the center line of the space 24. This planar portion 62 is provided with slot-means 64 duplicating the opening 46 of FIG. 4 when two tongues may be accommodated. Thus it serves as a companion to opening 46 as much as two openings 46 are mutual companions, and it is a like companion to another opening 64 in an adjacent runner 17. In FIG. 7, a tongue 66 is shown in dotted line in the position it would occupy entering from the left and through strip 18. In strip 18 opposite opening 64, there is an opening 68 of size freely to receive the tongue 66 and a second tongue from the opposite direction.

The single-thickness runners 10 have reinforcing or rigidifying means preferably like the head 60, such as the head 12 of FIG. 3. Likewise it is preferred that the crossmembers have comparable heads such as heads 32 (FIG. 3) formed by extending the vertical web 32 to duplicate the head 12 at the runner.

It is to be understood that the drawings exaggerate commercial proportions to facilitate the showing. But since one purpose is to provide grid spaces for lay-in panels of standard size such as %-inch short of 2 x 4 feet in both dimensions, it is necessary that the thickness dimension of the vertical web of the double-wall runners be limited. By limiting the width of the space 24 between walls 18 and 20 to Aa-inch, the standard panels can be used between any combination of runners 10 and 17.

By forming the heads 60 with sides flush with walls 18 and 20, the head presents no obstacle to dropping a panel in place from the tilted position described. In addition the head acquires another function.

When it is desired to out 01f direct flow of air through the space 24 at any region of a runner, this may be accomplished by means to cover a portion of the inlet opening, as by hanging a shield 70 (FIG. 7) over the head 60. The shield has a flat strip portion 72 of length to lie over and close the opening over wall 18, and a hook-portion 74 to fit over and slide on head 60. It is to be understood that the strip 72 may be short or perforated so as to close only part of the opening into the space 24.

The invention not only provides a new ventilating grid member, but one which, can be used with a cross-member suitable for union between two ventilating runners, or two non-ventilating runners, or between a ventilating runner and a non-ventilating runner. Also the present invention provides simple means for controlling the passage of air through the ventilating runner. As a result, with a single supply of cross-members, and supplies of both ventilating and non-ventilating runners, numerous combinations of grid members may be made to receive standard panels, as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A grid member for a suspension system for supporting lay-in ceiling panels, comprising a structure T-shaped in cross-section having a vertical portion and oppositely directed horizontal flanges extending from the bottom of the vertical portion, said vertical portion comprising an L-shaped member consisting of one of said flangesand a vertical leg of length short of the length of said vertical portion, and further comprising a complementary spaceforming web portion appreciably longer than said leg of the L and parallel to it with an intervening space opening along the length of the grid member between said two flanges, said web member having integral therewith a rigidifying head of rectangular cross-section with one side flush with the said leg of said L-shaped member and an opposing side flush with said web portion, said L-shaped member and said web portion being rigidly interconnected at a series of spaced locations by means crossing the space between them, said head being spaced above the upper end of said vertical leg of the L by a distance at least equal to the width of said space for establishing an air passage through said space.

2. A grid member according to claim 1 having a fiat plate member for closing at least a portion of the length of the space between said head and said vertical leg of the L by its position against the flush surfaces thereof, said plate member having hooked means to lie over the top of the head so to position said plate member.

3. A grid member for a suspension system for supporting lay-in ceiling panels, comprising a member T-shaped in cross-section and inverted in use, said member con-- sisting of a vertical web structure with outermost parallel faces, and oppositely directed horizontal flanges extending from said web structure, said web structure upwardly from its lower end comprising two parallel walls with an intervening space opening at the bottom between said flanges, said space opening in a lateral face of said web structure over the top edge of one of said walls, said other wall having spaced above said top edge a rigiditying head of rectangular cross-section with sides flush with the outer faces of said spaced walls, said two walls being interconnected at spaced intervals with rigid means at locations inwardly from said flanges.

4. A grid member for a suspension system for supporting lay-in ceiling panels, comprising a member T-shaped in cross-section and inverted in use, said member consisting of a vertical web structure with outermost parallel faces, and oppositely directed horizontal flanges extending from said web structure, said web structure upwardly from its lower end comprising two parallel walls with an intervening space, a first opening for said space at the bottom of said space between said flanges, a second opening for said space in a lateral face of said Web structure defined at least in part by one of said Walls, a portion of said web structure extending horizontally above said second opening, said horizontally extending portion being in alignment with said first opening whereby visual security through said space is obtained, and said 5. A grid member according to claim 4 in which said second opening is defined on one side by the top edge of one of said walls and the opposite side by said horizontally extending portion.

6. A grid member according to claim 5 in which said horizontally extending portion extends from the other of said walls and forms part of a rigidifyin-g head.

References Cited FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

two Walls being interconnected at spaced intervals With 20 R. S. VERMUT, P. C. FAW, Assistant Examiners.

rigid means at locations inwardly from said flanges. 

1. A GRID MEMBER FOR A SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING LAY-IN CEILING PANELS, COMPRISING A STRUCTURE T-SHAPED IN CROSS-SECTION HAVING A VERTICAL PORTION AND OPPOSITELY DIRECTED HORIZONTAL FLANGES EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VERTICAL PORTION, SAID VERTICAL PORTION COMPRISING AN L-SHAPED MEMBER CONSISTING OF ONE OF SAID FLANGES AND A VERTICAL LEG OF LENGTH SHORT OF THE LENGTH OF SAID VERTICAL PORTION, AND FURTHER COMPRISING A COMPLEMENTARY SPACEFORMING WEB PORTION APPRECIABLY LONGER THAN SAID LEG OF THE L AND PARALLEL TO IT WHEN AN INTERVENING SPACE OPENING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE GRID MEMBER BETWEEN SAID TWO FLANGES, SAID WEB MEMBER HAVING INTEGRAL THEREWITH A RIGIDIFYING HEAD OF RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION WITH ONE SIDE FLUSH WITH THE SAID LEG OF SAID L-SHAPED MEMBER AND AN OPPOSING SIDE FLUSH WITH SAID WEB PORTION, SAID L-SHAPED 